Woods Says Leaving U.va. A `Mutual Thing'

Former Virginia offensive coordinator Sparky Woods said he wasn't given the pink slip by Cavalier head coach George Welsh but wasn't exactly encouraged to stay, either.

Woods, who was announced as Mississippi State's offensive coordinator Friday, said he's not really sure what went on between him and Welsh that led to his parting. All he knows is that it worked out best for everybody.

``It was a mutual thing,'' Woods said Tuesday from his new office in Starkville, Miss. ``Coach goes about his business, he's not one to sit around and discuss much. If he has something on his mind he brings it up and talks about it. So he called and we talked some. Obviously he had some concerns.

``We didn't get very far in our conversations. We talked about how far we were going and what my goals were. If this sounds very vague, it's because it is very vague. He wasn't very direct in what he wanted. It's hard to explain because I'm not sure I understand what went on, either. But I felt it would be better to come here.''

Officially, Woods said he resigned. Asked if he would have been allowed to stay on as Virginia's coordinator he said, ``Well, he didn't ... yeah, as far as I know.''

Woods, a former head coach at South Carolina, directed Welsh's offense for two seasons. In 1998, the Cavaliers were first in the ACC in rushing yards (213 per game), second in total yards (427 per game) and fourth in scoring (29.5 per game). Virginia was one of five Division I-A teams to average more than 200 yards both passing and rushing.

But for one reason or another, Welsh and Woods apparently didn't see eye to eye.

``I can say this: I think we worked very hard together, but I wouldn't say we worked well together,'' Woods said. ``I tried very hard to do what I perceived he wanted me to do. I don't ever remember us having a fight. Maybe we should have.''

- Dave Johnson can be reached at 247-4649 or by e-mail at djohnson@dailypress.com